斐濟南迪Nadi--馬紹爾群島馬久羅Majuro直航班機首航, 每兩週一班

A celebration was held at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi on Tuesday evening to mark the inaugural flight to connect Fiji with Marshall Islands.

The North-South link is made possible via Nauru’s Our Airlines.

This service from Nadi and to Marshall Islands will operate every fortnight.

The diplomatic corps of Nauru and the Marshall Islands with other countries were present at the reception of the inaugural flight.

Republic of Marshall Islands Minister of Public Works, Hiroshi Yamamura, said: “The inauguration of the North South Link through Our Airline means development for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

“In this age of technology in transportation, communication and civil aviation, there is no reason why countries like ours should remain isolated from the rest of the world.

“This will open up new frontiers between the countries in the Pacific region; I have confidence in opening doors for trade, tourism and investment.”

Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji chief executive, Netava Waqa, said the inaugural flight confirms to the aviation community the unity in the Pacific.

“Despite the challenges we face and the vast oceanic area that divides us, we connect our countries and our people through our friendship and self-determination, goodwill and mutual respect for each other and our people,” he said.

The Majuro-Nadi-Majuro route was once flown by Airline of the Marshall Islands via Tarawa (Kiribati) and Funafuti (Tuvalu). But in recent years, travellers have had to make an expensive trip via Honolulu, Hawaii.

Our Airline chief executive, Geoff Bowmaker, said they were thrilled to be providing regular flights to Majuro.

“Many travellers will benefit through the significantly-improved connections that will result between the Northern, Central and Southern regions of the Pacific,” he said.